Thursday, November 8, 2018

Conference Title Chase Update: Conference USA

Conference USA

There are scenarios in the East where 4 teams have a path to the division title and conference title game. FIU controls the show as of now, even as they are tied atop the division with Middle Tennessee, by virtue of having won the head to head. Middle Tennessee can win out, and still lose the division based on that one loss.

Charlotte and Marshall both still own paths as well, but their numbers are slipping by the week as far as chances to make something happen. Here is the CUSA East breakdown:

Middle Tennessee wins if: They win out, and get one more loss by FIU. That is the only realistic path here, because a loss would require 2 losses by FIU in their final 3 games.

FIU wins if: They win out. If they lose, they would need Middle Tennessee to lose as well. Of course, an FIU loss would have to come against UTSA this week, as they close out against Charlotte and Marshall, and loss to either of those opponents opens up a big can of worms for the Panthers.

Charlotte wins if: They need both FIU and Middle Tennessee to lose 2 games, and they need to win out. One of the 2 losses would be a game that Charlotte can take from them, as they play them next week.

Marshall wins if: The Herd needs Middle Tennessee to lose once, and then they need to win out, including games against Charlotte and FIU. One more loss, and like Charlotte, they are eliminated.

In the West, UAB is in total control. They have already beaten Louisiana Tech and North Texas. They can afford another loss, and have a meaningless game against Texas A&M next week. They have 2 games left, against Southern Miss and Middle Tennessee, in conference play, and one win of the two would seal the deal.

UAB wins if: They win one more conference game against either Southern Miss this week, or against Middle Tennessee in 2 weeks.

Louisiana Tech wins if: UAB loses both remaining league games, and the Bulldogs win out against Rice, Southern Miss, and Western Kentucky, all games that they should be favored in.

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